How the heck do you manage the competing needs/demands of more than one child?

[h20]

Have been on my own since last Christmas.Husband now gone and hardly bothers seeing kids. Two boys, aged 2 and 4. If I just have one of themwith me it seems like a breeze - I enjoy the one-one time and feel that I am doing a good job and am in control. Together however, most outings are fraught and I don't seem to be able to do anything quality with either of them at home. Younger boy is super active, have to get out with him but then I spend lot of time managing his behaviour and the elder one doesn't get the help/attention that he needs. The 2 yr old wreaks any painting/jigsaw/train-set making with the older one. Am spending quite a bit of time thinking I can't do this and that I am fundamentally unsuited to parenting and i end up wanting to cry pathetically in the loo. Bit late now.... Any ideas?? (apart from personality transplant)

[kitkatqueen]

h20,

You are not crap! You have been doing a really tough job by yourself and you will get there.

Would it help if you had some one on one time with each of your children?

Could you put the 2 yr old to bed 3omins earlier so you can spend individual time with ds1?

Good Luck

[DONTtouchMUMSspecialJUICE]

your doing great.

it'll get easier once the older is in school.

does the older go to preschool yet.

i find those couple of hours with my younger really makes all the difference. mines are 2 an 3yo